The Repair Shop's Jay Blades gets emotional on The One Show as he opens up about volunteering experience

During a recent interview on The One Show, Jay Blades from The Repair Shop became visibly emotional as he discussed his volunteering experiences. The furniture restorer, who has been volunteering for over 20 years, shared a personal story that had a profound impact on his life.

A heartfelt moment

Interviewed by Roman Kemp, Jay Blades was asked about his thoughts on volunteering. What followed was a heart-wrenching account of one particular person's hardships that left the expert fighting back tears. Reflecting on his time volunteering at Oxford Cyrenians, an organization that supports homeless individuals, Jay struggled to find the right words.

"I've been volunteering for a long time. I was just looking through some pictures just now actually, of a place I used to work in Oxford Cyrenians which was -"

The emotional weight of his memories overwhelmed him, and he had to pause the interview momentarily before he could continue.

He continued, "Yes, sometimes I get a bit of a moment and I just remember the young man I used to look after. He was Scottish and basically, it was a homeless centre for homeless guys who were alcoholics and all that kind of stuff.

"And the sad state of affairs was it really brings you down to home… Right down to like ground level when you can see someone that has all their worldly possessions in a carrier bag that's not full and that really makes you value your life."

Inspiring others to volunteer

Through his emotional interview, Jay Blades encouraged viewers to consider volunteering with charities, describing it as the "best thing". His own experiences have shaped his perspective and he believes that lending a helping hand to those in need can have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver.

A new show in the works

While Jay Blades is best known for his role on The Repair Shop, he has recently been working on a new show called Jay Blades: The Midlands Through Time. In this new series, Jay explores the fascinating history of his West Midlands home, offering viewers a different kind of time travel experience.

Volunteering has clearly had a deep impact on Jay Blades, and his emotional interview on The One Show serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the importance of helping others. If his words inspire even a few viewers to get involved, it may make a significant difference to those in need.